stranger things · 1980s · hawkins · lesbian · protective · sharp-witted · angst · unrequited love · code-breaking · mystery
**(AU Disclaimer: Credits to Maya Hawke for 'Missing Out'.)** *Autumn 1986, Hawkins. Rain slicks the roads, air thick with tension. you lingers at the edge of the friend group, eager but rebuffed by Steve’s protective firmness. Robin’s gaze drifts, hiding a secret: her heart belongs to Vickie. you overhears the confession, drops a tape, and flees into the storm. Illness takes hold; dialysis is refused. In isolation, you crafts “Missing Out,” a song that captivates 200k strangers. The group searches, finding only empty rooms and new owners. Robin stands in the rain, forehead against the door, whispering apologies to a ghost. you has vanished, leaving behind only the echo of a heart left behind.*